Over the past year commercial real estate has been following the steady declines seen in residential real estate. This can be seen by looking no further than the fact that prices are down nearly 40% from 2007 and office vacancies have increased by 5% in 2009 alone. However, residential real estate has slowly began turning around, this has caused many investors and analysts to wonder if commercial real estate will stabilize in 2010.

Changing Times, Changing World:
According to a survey conducted by Grub and Ellis, commercial real estate is expected to decline by another 10% to 20%. At which point, the markets will go into the stage of flat lining, this is where prices will not decrease or increase rapidly. This is contrary to what some have been prognosticating for commercial real estate, with it often being called the next shoe to drop. However, according to the Grubb and Ellis survey, when you look at the actual values of the commercial real estate mortgage portfolio at various banks, it is clear that their values are significantly higher in spite of seeing sharp price declines last year.

Vacancies:
Nationwide Grubb and Ellis expect vacancies to decline even more, with the total amount reaching 18.5% to 19.0%. This is the highest number on record since the firm began conducting the survey in 1986. When you look at the different sectors of commercial real estate it is clear that the decline will be felt in all areas. This can be seen with industrial sector expected to post vacancy rates of 11.4%, while retail is expected to continue to remain weak. These different rising vacancies have meant that many landlords are unable to make their mortgage payments, leading to a rise in foreclosures of commercial real estate. A good example of this would be the Hancock Tower of Boston which is facing foreclosure because of rising vacancies.

What This Means for Boston Real Estate?
When you look at what the different figures mean for Boston, it is clear that the city’s commercial real estate market will face a mixed recovery of starts and stops. A good example of this can be seen with the predictions for Boston commercial property vacancies, as offices are expected to see a 14.2% increase and 16.2% in industrial.

What all of this shows, is that 2010 Boston commercial real estate will face downward pressure as rising vacancies fuel foreclosures. However, towards the end of year is when a recovery is expected in these markets as commercial real estate works through similar challenges as residential.

The housing crush has had a range of side effects across the nation. However, with more and more new home developments struggling to fill the new properties, a new phenomenon has appeared. There are fewer and fewer new suburban developments showing up on the fringes of communities.

Expansion that was so rampant in the real estate boom has suddenly disappeared or stalled midproject, leaving empty houses gaping at passerbys.Some of these communities are filled with homes that are in foreclosure which makes it harder to sell a home next door. Home owners have vacant lots next to them and they need to stop foreclosure themselves.

What are the pros and cons to the recent disappearance of these suburban communities? Besides the obvious financial troubles with the construction companies associated with these areas, there is an impact for the local homeowners as well.

With fewer inhabitants and stalled increases in the homeowners to these commuter communities, morning commutes into the city are less than what might have been if these suburban areas had filled. Enticed by lower prices and more house available through these suburban communities, more and more homeowners looked to purchase these properties during the real estate boom years. However, as the real estate market has stopped, these homes are not being filled, making the commute to the city a little easier.

Areas like Prince William County have shown the impact of this suburban community disappearance. With a deflated real estate market and increasing gas prices, the foreclosures have pushed median home prices down 32 percent in just the last year alone. Fewer individuals are on the interstate and more are crushed into crowded buses headed to Washington D.C. This area of the county has seen the impact of tightened credit restrictions and fewer buyers. The bubble has popped here and the impact was swift and sudden.

Zillow recently performed an analysis of markets to determine what has happened to the inner and outer suburbs in major cities nationwide. What they found was very interesting. Essentially, the prices for inner suburbs, those within a ten mile radius from the center of the city had changed little. However, as the radius grew larger and larger as far as fifty miles from the center of the city, the prices dropped drastically.

Of course, if the city was close enough to another major metropolitan area such as the case with Washington D.C. and Baltimore, for example the prices would begin to rise again as proximity to the neighboring town increased. Other cities proved the opposite reaction. Some areas like Atlanta, Dallas and Detroit that often have rough and tumble downtown areas still saw improved prices in the suburbs far away from the center of the city. Detroit has a weak economy in the center of town, making homes here less desirable than the benefits offered in the surrounding communities. Atlanta, on the other hand, has had a number of premium condos built that has offset the nearby home values.

An oversupply of new homes in the suburbs is affecting the existing home communities nearby. As fewer and fewer new home developments are being purchased, these properties are drastically reducing their prices to get the homes sold. Oftentimes, these price drops ultimately cause the entire neighborhood to lower prices because the competition is all around.

One way to determine if the state of our economy is improving is by monitoring foreclosure rates. Foreclosure rates across the country vary in different regions.

Foreclosures can signal a huge change in the real estate market. While they can be hot deals for buyers looking to purchase large properties at a fraction of their valued cost, the impact foreclosures have on the market overall can be a highly negative one. Foreclosed homes are typically in disrepair and a crumbling mess long before the bank steps in to take over. In addition, selling a home that is highly undervalued will undercut overall price comparisons in the neighborhood, which devalues numerous homes in its wake.

As the economy continues to decline, the number of foreclosed homes continues to grow. While some analysts will tell you that the foreclosed homes and sluggish real estate market are signs that the real estate bubble is simply righting itself after years of a bubble inflated industry, homeowners with nearby foreclosed homes in their neighborhood and the victims themselves will often feel at a loss on how to control the negative spin.

Overall, 1.9 million homes have recently gone into foreclosure across the county. The average sale on these foreclosed homes is roughly $172,000. Of course, this number reflects both large and small properties alike, as well as homes whose owners had been paying their mortgages on time for years before the economic downturn made paying their mortgage payments more difficult.

What are the biggest markets for foreclosures across the nation? Is your state one of the areas experiencing the highest rates of foreclosure? Consult this list of states that experience high foreclosures to see if your state is one of the most affected areas:

California tops the list at over 92,000 foreclosures. Meanwhile, Florida runs in second place with nearly 59,000 foreclosures. Nevada, Arizona and Michigan each have roughly 15,000 foreclosures, while Ohio, Illinois, Georgia and Texas has approximately 10,000 foreclosures. Virginia ends the list with just over 5,000 foreclosed homes.

Foreclosed homes aren’t limited to a specific economic bracket, either. Every neighborhood has become vulnerable, including high end homes in desirable neighborhoods. Many analysts blame adjustable rate mortgages or no doc loans as a major cause of the increased foreclosures. Since these no doc loans don’t require verification of the borrowers’ income, they pose a much higher risk than other traditional forms of home loans.

The top five states California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Michigan constitute the greatest percentage of the nations foreclosures in June. As the market restructures and the economy continues to adjust to financial changes, expect the rate of foreclosed homes to decease slowly over time.

After all, foreclosed homes put pressure on financial institutions to stop lending to anyone with a potentially risky financial profile. For this reason, even secure homeowners cannot sell their homes as new buyers are unable to obtain the funds they need to purchase new property on the market.

If you need are in a situation where you are thinking how can I sell my house fast, I suggest contacting a local home buying expert in your area. Local home buying experts exist in every major city in the United States. Many times these home buyers can purchase homes quickly so you can move on with your life.

As 2008 is coming to a close many american home owners are asking a few real estate questions. When will real estate recover to prerecesion times? When will I be able to sell my house for a profit and is 2009 the year home values will start to increase?

Since the peak in real estate prices and home sales in summer of 2005 many home owners have been loosing equity in their home. It seems each month is another indicator that real estate prices are not increasing and foreclosures continue to increase. But with each month that goes by, we are one step closer to hitting the bottom of the real estate market.

Many factors point to the bottom of the real estate market, on a national level hitting bottom in 2009. There are a few major developments that bring light to a dark alley when thinking about the over all real estate market in 2009.

One of the largest indicators that home values will start to increase this next year is the inventory of homes on the market. Last month new construction for homes was at 730,000 its lowest point since 1975. In almost all the major metro areas across the nation home inventories are starting to decrease which will increase home prices. See your local area inventories at housing tracker.

Recent decrease in foreclosure fillings due to the government help will also play a large role in real estate prices hitting bottom this next year. which the new president Obama stepping into office at the end of January a new light and vision for real estate and america will start to take place. President Obama has shown interest in solving the housing market issues because he is aware that housing is vital to the Unites States economy.

So if you have a home that you are living in and are waiting for real estate to recover, cross your fingers that 2009 will bring a new year and recovering home prices. I am optimistic that we are near a bottom of the market and things will stabilize in the summer or second quarter of this next year.

Always remember that real estate is a local market and each area of the nation is different. Some parts of the nation are actually seeing increases in home prices this year. Just another reminder that you need to seek professional advice when buying or selling real estate. You need to get accurate new data, especially in a changing market like we have today.

The real estate market has not just slowed down, it is almost standing still. Each and every month there are more houses on the market for sale and les homes are sold. So how do you sell a house fast in the very slow real estate market? You have to find and receive an offer from the right home buyer for your house.

When it comes to selling your home you have very few options, especially if you need a quick sale. You can try to sell your house by yourself with a for sale with owner company. You can list your home with a real estate agent who will put your home on the multiple listing service and hope for a buyer. Or you can sell your home to a real estate investor who buys homes fast from motivated home sellers.

There are many reasons home owners need to sell their house quickly, hare are just a few.
Going through a divorce
Need to stop foreclosure fast
Inherited a property
Your house needs fixed up
You are being transferred by your job
You do not have enough equity to pay realtor commissions
You mortgage is going to adjust and you will not be able to afford the payment
Recent loss of job

The real estate market is very slow across the nation. The home that you used to love can quickly become a huge life anchor limiting you from happiness. This is why I recommend receiving a free, confidential, no obligation offer for your house from a local home buyer. They exist in every major metro market in the nation and they buy houses fast.

Not all real estate investors are out to take advantage of home owners. Many are hard working individuals who make a living from solving complicated real estate situations.
So in order to sell a house in this current economy I suggest using the sometime less obvious way to sell your house, your local home buyer. You will not have to pay any money and you can move from your house quickly.

As if the home buying process isnt nerve wracking enough, an unstable market presents unique challenges to future home buyers. With the steady stream of bad news, increased foreclosures and tightened restrictions on mortgages, it can be more difficult to buy a new home now than it has been in the past. Lenders are getting picky and it can spell bad news for those individuals on the house market.

If you already qualify for a mortgage, however, and have a good income with strong credit, you can be in a prime spot to purchase a home. With declining home prices and an established mortgage, the house market is not as treacherous for established homeowners as it can be for first time buyers. There are some tips and tricks, however, to help you stay within a safe area for your future home purchase despite an unstable market scenario.

Do not over reach yourself with a large mortgage. It might be great that you can afford a certain price on paper, but you need to take the time to work out how much your mortgage payments will actually be each month. Can you afford to have this as a monthly expense while still saving for your retirement, college, increased portfolio, or a new car? What are the bills that will accompany a house that is that large? Can you afford those along with your mortgage? What are your annual taxes? Know this information before you get too caught up in a big number that will mean little to you until you break it down in monthly installments.

Real estate agent differences can affect home buying as well. All real estate agents are not the same. Some will call you regularly while others prefer to stay quiet until they have found the exact right house for you. Ask a number of questions to your potential real estate agent to find the one that is best suited to your personality. Do they experience with title searches? Can they help you spot potential problems with the property? Having a good real estate agent that fits your personality will make all the difference in your future home shopping experience.

Even the best real estate agent can miss some things. Look online to find crime statistics, school districts, home prices and comparables. You can find an array of quality information about your future potential neighborhood by taking the time to search online. If you are armed with this extensive knowledge, you can make better deals and know what you are getting into with your future home. Look for virtual house tours and extensive pictures. Check out the neighborhood, the annual taxes, and much more at the touch of your fingers.

Walk the Streets of your future neighborhood. No matter how much information you find online, you cant really know a neighborhood until you spend some time there. Look for open houses in the neighborhood that are not the property you are interested in to see other homes in the area, meet the neighbors. Drive through your future neighborhood at all hours of the day to see what kind of neighbors you would have. Are there a lot of kids, working parents, or older couples? You can find this out through your frequent drives.

Negotiate with the home sellers of your future home. You do not know what the sellers situation might be and it never hurts to try to negotiate a lower price. Although it might insult them and you could lose the house forever, some home buyers have found that asking for more in their offers has been very successful for them. If the seller is under a lot of pressure to sell or has had few offers, they might be more willing to listen to your demands.

Up front, foreclosed propertiesmight seem like a steal. They are much less expensive and can be a great deal when it comes time to sell. However, if the homeowner has been unable to make their mortgage payments, it is highly likely that they have been able to keep up with the general maintenance of the home itself. You will have to purchase a foreclosed property as is many times and you could be stuck with a property that has larger issues than you are willing to deal with.

When you purchase your next house, get into a mortgage you can afford. Especially for first time buyers, getting a good mortgage and knowing which lenders are right for you can be tricky. There are unethical lenders out there offering deals that are literally too good to be true. Finding a good mortgage and lender can ensure the stability of your financial portfolio and home status. If you are caught with an unsavory lender and something bad happens in the future, the status of your home and ability to secure another mortgage will come into question. You could lose everything due to bad choices made now with your mortgage company.

Get a home inspection. You need an unbiased view of the property you are about to buy. In order to ensure that you know of all your propertys potential problems up front, it pays to get a great home inspector. You want to be able to trust the person and know that what he or she says is legitimate. If your home inspection finds problems that far exceed what you are willing to deal with, you have the opportunity to back out before it is too late. The home inspection is the smartest way to buy a home no matter what the economic situation is.

Finally, buy your home with a long term plan in mind. A home purchase is a huge investment and the savvy buyers look to find a house that will fit them now and years down the road. You can invest in your home and make any necessary upgrades to help you grow with the property, but staying with your home will help to increase your investment and make you more financially secure in the future.

If you have bad credit, consider purchasing a house through a lease purchase or rent to own. Now is a great time to purchase a house at a fixed purchase price, and rent the house until you can afford to get your own mortgage. This gives you time to raise your credit score which will lower your monthly payments by getting a better interest rate.

Home prices in Houston Texas have held steady while the rest of the nation is seeing an over 7 percent decrease in home prices. In the 1st quarter of the year Houston Texas saw an increase in home prices of approximately 0.8 percent. The median home price is now 148,400. This is good news if you live in Houston.

Although there is good news if you are a home owner in Houston, 0.8 percent is not much of an increase and if you purchased your house at the peak of the real estate market you can be sure that this slight increase has not had much affect in your home value. In fact even with the slight increase in home appreciation there are still many home owners who can not afford their mortgage and are falling into foreclosure.

If you are from Houston Texas than you know the hard situation you are faced with if you need to sell your house. If you purchased your home recently you probably owe more for your house than what it is worth. You can not afford your house so you know you need to sell it, the problem is who do you sell to?

Well believe it or not there are home buyers who are buying houses in Houston. Many people do not know that professional home buyers or real estate investors buy houses throughout the nation. Home buyers are real estate investors who some times buy properties and hold for long term investments, thus allowing them to pay more for your house.

If you owe more for your Houston Texas house than what it is worth then you should consider selling your house to a professional home buyer. They will negotiate with the bank to get your name released from the mortgage and complete a successful short sale. This way you will not get a foreclosure status on your credit report, which will save you lots of money and hassle in your future.

You should also consider contacting a professional home buyer if you need to sell your home fast. If you are behind on your mortgage payments, being relocated by your job, inherited a house and now want to sell it, going through a divorce, or have family health problems and need to sell your home.

There are many ways to sell your house. You can sell it For Sale By Owner, list your home with a real estate agent, or you can sell your house fast to a local home buyer. Some times the fastest and best way to sell your house is to sell to a real estate investors. This allows you to get your equity from your house fast and move on.

So if you own a Houston house, or any house for that matter and are near foreclosure, or need to sell your house for one reason or another, do not give up. Contact your local home buyer and get a free consultation on your home selling options. There is no charge for any services provided by professional home buyers so you have nothing to loose.